Method of closing bag tube ends



D. BELCHER METHOD CLOSING BAG TUBE ENDS July'27, 1948.

Original F iled Jan. 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l /NVENTOR DAN/EL BELCHER B) 6 ATTORNEYS July 27, 1948.

D. BELCHER METHOD OF CLOSING BAG TUBE ENDS Original Filed Jan. 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nl EN TOR DA /15L 5 EL 0H5):

ATTORNEYS y 1948- D. B-ELCHER 2,445,757

METHOD OF CLOSING BAG TUBE ENDS Lg l7 /NVENTOP DAN/EL BELOHEP KAP QQW A T TORNE Ys Patented July 27, 1948 METHOD OF CLOSING BAG TUBE ENDS Daniel Belcher, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Bemis Bro. Bag 00., Minneapolis, Minn.,,.a cor,-

poration of Missouri Original application January .15, 1943, .Serial No. 472,493. Divided and this application June 6,

1946, Serial No. 674,714 I This invention relates to new and useful improvements in methods of closing and sealing 1 manner topermit rough handling of the bags without danger of the sealed ends thereof becoming leaky, and alsov whereby the closed bag ends will be uniform and neat in appearance.

A further object, of the invention is to provide a novel method of closing and sealing an open bag top, whereby the sealed bag top will be substantially flat and rectangular in configuration, when completed.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel method of closing and sealing the ends of tubular bag blanks, whereby the bag end walls may be folded into closing relation and secured in such position by the application thereto of a single strip of sealing tape, and in a manner to provide a completely and positively sealed bag end closure without the necessity of applying an adhesive to any portions of the bag end walls, prior to. adhering the sealing 'tape thereto.

A further object is to provide a novel bag closure utilizing but a single strip of tape .for completing the formation of the closure, and which is so constructed that if it is deemed desirable to provide carrying handles at the top of the bag, the ends of the closure may beso fashioned as to provide suitable carrying handles to facilitate handling the bags.

A furtherobject is to provide a novel method of closing and sealing open bag tops, whereby the bag top walls are so folded as to bring the edges thereof together, and then applying a strip of sealing tape over said edges and adhering it to the marginal edges of the walls, whereby the bag top is completely sealed, and the bag top walls beingso folded as to provide a carrying flap or handle at each end of the bag'top whereby filled bags may be conveniently grasped in the operation of moving them about from place to place.

A further object resides in the novel manner of forming the carrying flaps or handlesat the corners of the bag top, which is accomplished simultaneously as the bag top walls are folded into closing and sealing relation.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompany- 7 Claims. (Cl. 93'-35) 2 ing. drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carryout the various objects of the invention, but itis to'be understood that the invention is not. confined to. the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a bag with its ends closed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the manner of scoring the bag end walls to facilitate forming the closure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view showing the first step in making the closure wherein the bag top walls are shown pressed into flatwise relation with theedge walls intucked between the side walls;

Figure 4 is a view showing the juxtaposed walls at each side edge of the bag outwardly turned, at substantially right angles to the median plane of the body;

Figure 5 is a view showing the uppermost portion of one of the edge walls folded downwardly to provide, in effect, a triangular fiap which is folded against the adjacent edge wall;

Figure 6 is a view showing the triangular flap seated against its respective edge wall;

Figure 7 is an edge view of Figure 6; V

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the upper marginal edges of the bag top walls folded into fiatwise relation prior to applying the sealing tape thereto;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the tape-folded over the edges of the bag end walls and secured thereto with its end portions extending beyond the bag top;

Figure 10 is a View showing one end of the tape folded downwardly into flatwise engagement with its respective wall, thereby to secure the triangular flap in sealed position;

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a portion of a sealed bag top;

Figure 1 2 is a plan view of a blank showing the manner of scoring the ends thereof to facilitate making the closure illustrated in Figure 1;

Figures 13, .14 and 15, inclusive, illustrate a closure formed to provide carrying handles at the bag top; and

Figures 16, 1'7 and 18, inclusive, illustrate a similar closure of slightly different construction.

In the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed there is illustrated in'Figure 2 a portion of an intuck bag comprising side walls 2 and edge walls '3. In'bags of this general type,

1, 1a and 8 at each end to facilitate inwardly folding the 'bag end wall portions in the oper ation of completing the closure. Vertical score lines 8-a are also provided in the blank to facilitate folding the blank when making the bag bodies. In other words, the score 'or fold lines 8-a constitute the corners of the bag body, when the bag is subsequently filled as shown in Figure 1.

In the operation of closing and sealing the bag end or top, the bag end walls are first pressed into flatwise relation as shown in Figure 3, whereby juxtaposed or contiguous wall portions are provided as a result of the edge walls being intucked between the side walls. In the next step, said juxtaposed or contiguous wall portions are unfolded to substantially the positions shown in Figure 4, after which the upper edge of each edge wall is pulled downwardly, as indicated in Figure 5, thereby causing the upper portions of the edge wall and the adjacent portions of the side walls to fold along the score lines 1 and la until said folded wall portions assume the positions shown in Figure 6, wherein the upper edges of the inwardly folded wall portions will be disposed in contiguous relation, as indicated at [6 in Figure 6.

In the next step, the outwardly turned wall portions are folded together to their original positions as shown in Figure 8, after which a strip of sealing tape 90 is folded over the edges of the bag top walls and adhered thereto with its end portions projecting beyond the edges of the bag top, as shown in Figure9. The end portions of the tape are subsequently brought into bonding engagement with the edge walls 3, asshown in Figure 10, it being understood that in so doing 4 the flaps I5a and into engagement with the bottom sides of the flaps and, if desired, into engagement with the edge walls, as shown in Figures 3mm.

The terminals of the sealing tapemay be extended downwardly below the top of the bag body, as shown in Figure 15, whereby the flaps l5a may serve as suitable carrying handles for the filled bag; the tape so strengthening the flaps as to eliminate all danger of the flaps tearing or "opening as a result of rough handling of the bags.

The'bag' closure illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15 is extremely simple in construction and, in addition to.-hermetically sealing the bag top or end against leakage, also provides means to facilitate-handling the bags which is of utmost importance in the larger sizes of bags.

Figures 16, 1'7 and lit-illustrate a closure which is quite similar to the one shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15, in that the flaps l5b provided at each end of the bag top provide carrying handles in a mannersimil'ar tothe flaps I5-a in Figures 13, 14'and 15. The flaps I5--b, however, are not folded upon themselves, as are the flapsfin Figures 13, 14 and 15, the ends of the tape extending outwardly beyond the flaps I5-b and being folded downwardly and back against the under sides of the flaps, as best shown in Figures 16 and 18.

By t'hus folding the tape ends around the flaps l5-,-b, the bag top or end is heremetically sealed against leakage and in addition to providinga practical closure for the bag top or end, the tape the edge walls are unfolded from the positions shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 10,

may be completed without applying adhesive between any of the wall portions which constitute the bag top or end, and with theassurance that the bag end will be completely sealed. This results because the strip of sealing tape 9-c completely seals the upper marginal edge portions of the side and edge walls, including the joint [6 between the contiguous edges of the bag top walls as shown in Figure 6. The tape ends ll completely conceal the joints l6 andpreferably have their terminals secured to their respective edge walls 3 below the flaps I5, as best illustrated in Figures 1, l0 and 11.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 disclose a similar closure except that the flaps l5 -a' which correspond to the flaps I5 in Figure 6, are not'foldeddownwarclly into engagement with the edge walls, but are permitted to extend outwardly as best shown in Figure 13. The tip I! of each flap l5a may ends cooperate with the flaps I5--b to provide carrying handles to facilitate handling the filled bags.

As many apparently widely different, embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodiments herein except as defined by'the appended claims.

I claim as my invention v 1; The method of closing and sealing an open end of a flexible walled tubular bag body, which consists of'pressing the walls of the bag end into flatwise relation with the edge walls intucked between the sidewalls, retaining the juxtaposed edges of the flattened side walls in flatwise relation, outwardly bending the side walls along fold lines disposed in substantially parallel relation to the edge walls, whereby portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag, body, engaging the upper marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall and folding said wall portions against their respective I edge walls whereby the marginal edges .of each be folded upon itself as clearly illustrated in Figedge wall are brought together, and whereby the marginal edges of the previously folded side wall portions are similarly brought together into alignment with said edgewall portions, and subsequently folding a strip of sealing tape over all of the marginal edges of the side and edge walls and adhering it thereto, thereby to seal the bag end against leakage.

2. The method of closing andsealing an open end of a flexible walled tubular bag body, which consists in pressing the walls of the bag end into flatwise relation with the edge walls-intucked between thesidewalls, retaining the contiguous edges .of the flattened side walls in flatwise relation, outwardly bending the side walls along fold lines disposed in substantially parallel relation tothe edge wallswhereby portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag body, engaging the marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall and fOldlng said wall portions into flatwise relation with their respective edge walls and whereby portions of the edge and side walls are folded along diagonal fold lines to bring together the marginal edges of each edge wall and also the edges of. the folded side wall portions, and subsequently folding a strip of sealing tape over all of the marginal edges of the side and edge walls and adhering it thereto, thereby to seal the bag end against leakage.

3. Ihe method of closing and sealing an open end of a flexible walled tubular body, which consists in pressing the walls of the bag end into flatwise relation with the edge walls intucked between the side walls, retaining the contiguous edges of the flattened side walls in flatwise relation, outwardly bending the side Walls along fold lines disposed in substantially parallel relation to the edge walls whereby the upper portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag body, engaging the marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall and folding said wall portions into flatwise relation with their respective edge walls and whereby portions of the edge and side walls are folded along diagonal fold lines to bring together the marginal edges of each edge wall and also the edges of the folded side wall portions, and subsequently folding a strip of sealing tape over all of the marginal edges of the side and edge walls and adherin it thereto, with the end portions of the tape adhered directly to the edge walls below said folded wall portions, there by to seal the bag end against leakage.

4. The method of closing and sealing the open top of a flexible walled bag, which consists in pressing the walls of the bag top into flatwise relation with the edge walls intucked between the side walls, retaining the contiguous edges of the flattened side walls in fiatwise relation, outwardly bending the side walls along fold lines whereby portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag body, engaging marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall and folding said wall portions against their respective edge walls whereby the marginal edges of each edge wall are brought together and whereby the marginal edges of the previously folded side wall portions are similarly brought together into alignment with said edge wall portions, thereby to provide a triangular a flap at each end of the bag top, and subsequently folding a strip of sealing tape over all of the marginal edges of the side and edge walls thereby to seal the bag end against leakage, said flaps serving as lifting handles for the filled bag body.

5. The method of closing and sealing the open top of a flexible walled bag, which consists in pressing the walls of the bag top into flatwise relation with the edge walls intucked between the side walls, retaining the contiguous edges of the flattened side walls in flatwise relation, outwardly b ending the side walls along fold lines whereby portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag body, engaging the marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall and folding said wall portions against their respective edge walls whereby the upper marginal edges of each edge wall are brought together and whereby the marginal edges of the previously folded side wall portions are similarly brought together into alignment with said edge wall portions, thereby to provide a triangular flap at each end of the bag end, and subsequently applying a strip of sealing tape over the joint between the marginal edges of the side walls and the joints between the edge wall portions constituting said flaps, and adhering the tape to said wall portions, thereby to seal the bag top against leakage, said flaps serving as lifting handles for the filled bag body.

6. The method of closing and sealing the open top of a flexible walled bag, which consists in pressing the walls of the bag top into flatwise relation with the edge walls intucked between the side walls, retaining the contiguous edges of the flattened side walls in flatwise relation, outwardly bending the side walls along fold lines whereby portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag body, engaging the marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall folding said wall portions against their respective edge walls whereby the marginal edges of each wall are brought together and whereby the marginal edges of the previously folded side wall portions are similarly brought together into alignment with said edge wall portions, thereby to provide a triangular flap at each end of the bag end, and subsequently applying a strip of sealing tape over the joints between the edge wall portions constituting said flaps, and adhering the tape to said wall portions with the ends of the tape folded under the tips of said flaps and secured thereto, thereby to seal the bag end against leakage, and at the same time providing carrying flaps or handles for the filled bag body.

'7. The method of closing and sealing the open top of a flexible walled bag, which consists in pressing the walls of the bag top into flatwise relation with the edge walls intucked between the side walls, retaining the contiguous edges of the flattened side walls in flatwise relation, outwardly bending the side walls along fold lines whereby the portions of the intucked edge walls are unfolded to substantially right angular relation to the median plane of the bag body, engaging the marginal edge of the central portion of each edge wall and folding said wall portions against their respective edge walls whereby the marginal edges of each edge wall are brought together and whereby a triangular flap is provided at each end of the bag top, applying a strip of sealing tape over the joint between the contiguous edges of the side and edge walls and adhering it thereto, the ends of the tape extending beyond the tips of said flaps, and subsequently folding the tips of the flaps and the tape ends under the flaps and securing the tape to the bottoms of the flaps with its terminal portions secured to portions of the edge walls of the bag body below said flaps.

DANIEL BELCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 762,976 Appel June 21, 1904 1,029,706 Merritt June 18, 1912 2,406,791 Belcher Sept. 3, 1946 

